Olive
Olea europaea
HighClimax
Production
The icon: a near-immortal, drought-proof tree for oil and fruit that thrives on heat and neglect. Slow to mature and shy to crop some years, but it will outlive you.
Tolerances & traits
- Strata
- High
- Lifecycle
- Climax
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Loam, Sandy
- Soil pH range
- 5.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -10°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Irrigation needed
- Low
How to manage it
Open-vase prune annually for light and airflow; resprouts strongly from the base and stump if cut hard, so old trees can be rejuvenated.
Watch out for
Very slow to bear a full crop and prone to biennial cropping; pollen is a significant allergen and fruit is inedible until cured.
Design your line to see how your land fits Olive.
Start designing your line →Related species